Elevator technology is changing the way we move

“Green” elevators are designed to cut waiting times, effectively reducing energy consumption and the number of grumpy passengers.

By:Neil SharmaSpecial to the Star, Published on Thu Jan 31 2013

An oft overlooked facet of sustainable building is the changing face of elevator technology. “Green” elevators are designed to cut waiting times, effectively reducing energy consumption and the number of grumpy passengers.

The Schindler Elevator Corp. has acknowledged the need to develop sustainable technology with an emphasis on mitigating environmental impact.

Schindler has developed Port (personal occupant requirement terminal) Technology, an efficient system that can save as much as 30 to 40 per cent on energy costs by making fewer stops. Port Technology can anticipate passengers’ travel with radio frequency identification, all contained in a pass card, enabling the user to call an elevator before they leave their suite. An added advantage of Port is that buildings require fewer elevators — an energy saving boon in itself — because of reduced waiting times.

Port Technology is arguably the most advanced elevator system on the market because of its efficiency, says Bill Fiacco, Schindler’s president of marketing and sales for North and South America.

“As a passenger you don’t have to stop six times, you may only stop twice,” said Fiacco. “The elevator is making fewer stops and using significantly less energy.

“This destination system is 30 to 40 per cent more efficient. When that happens you can move more people with fewer elevators and you reduce your carbon footprint significantly.”

Fiacco believes destination technology will become increasingly commonplace in Toronto as the city continues growing at a brisk rate.

In addition to Port, World on Yonge will use Schindler’s Power Factor 1 energy-saving elevators, which use magnet machines, requiring less starting and braking current, and features LED lighting and sleep modes, which also considerably reduce energy consumption. Another feature is the regenerative-drive hardware, which also recycles energy and recharges the system.

World on Yonge, slated to open in 2014 and aiming to be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certified, will be a community within a community with two 31-storey residential towers, office and hotel space.

“Accommodating the environment is very important because at the end of the day we’re providing homes and places for jobs for community members,” said senior vice present Marco Filice, who also says using Schindler’s destination technology is a major component of meeting the project’s environmental commitment. “On a planning basis, you have to look at plans and see how you can achieve those goals.”

Doug Guderian, president of Barrie-based contracting firm Elevator One, says there are other ways to reduce an elevator’s energy consumption.

He says using biodegradable oil, installing florescent or LED lighting inside the cabs and behind push buttons is an inexpensive remedy to the cost of installing a new energy-saving elevator, or even replacing an existing hydraulic system.

“Elevators have a long life,” said Guderian. “They get upgraded on a 15 to 30 year cycle, depending on the initial equipment. Another thing that can be done is if you’ve got a bigger group of elevators in bigger buildings, one can be shut down during off-peak hours. It takes about a minute to boot up.”

“From a financial perspective, it’s not (considered viable),” he said. “Replacing a drive system is $100,000 because you’re looking at many other components. Some (builders) want to do the right thing while others are having trouble keeping the building afloat, so switching to green elevators becomes the least of their concerns.”

The cost of going greener will decrease as demand rises, and it’s already become commonplace in the GTA, says Guderian who’s been in the elevator industry for 25 years.

“Part of what brings costs down is when more people start asking for it.”

Schindler’s energy-efficient products for lowrise buildings aren’t more expensive than hydraulic systems, but do cost 3 to 5 per cent more in highrises, says Fiacco.

Although there is currently no LEED category for elevators, they can add points with efficient motors.

Tridel is a leader in building LEED-certified condominiums. Having committed every development to LEED standards since 2006, sustainable elevator technology has become a key component of their projects.

Subhi Alsayed, innovation manager of Tridel, says the company commissioned a report exploring sources of energy savings and concluded elevators account for 3 to 5 per cent, adding that regenerative systems have become a favourite.

“One of the measures that lets us achieve our energy savings is elevators,” said Alsayed. “Energy consumption contributes to condo fees, so saving energy carries a benefit to the condo owner. Maintenance won’t be as high as in other condos that aren’t as conscious of energy consumption.”

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